A Publication of the Historical Society of Ogden Dunes, Indiana,
Inc. Volume 4 Number 8
September 1996
[This is only a portion of this issue, all I happened to have in electronic form so far.] Chesterton Tribune, Thursday, 2 July,
1925
ENJOINS N. Y. C. FROM OBSTRUCTING HIGHWAY
Judge Loring granted the Ogden Dunes, incorporated, a temporary restraining
order against the New York Central Railroad Friday morning in the Porter
circuit court, from obstructing a highway leading into a subdivision in
Portage township owned by the Ogden Dunes corporation. The petition recites
the fact that the railroad had dug ditches six feet wide and six feet deep
on both sides of their right of way and piled up ties to prevent persons
from crossing their tracks and gaining access to their residence properties
in the subdivision. Samuel H. Reck, president of Ogden Dunes incorporation,
alleges that the company owns 448 acres of land valued at $1,200 an acre,
and the action of the railroad in preventing property owners in the subdivision
from using a highway which has been maintained since 1886, will result
in causing a decline in value of the tract for resort purposes. At the
present time 51 persons own property in the Ogden Dunes, and a number of
houses are being built. The property, according to Mr. Reck, fronts on
Lake Michigan for about one mile, and the only access to the tract is by
means of the road which the railroad is seeking to obstruct.
Valparaiso Daily Vidette, Monday, 3
August, 1925
FIGHT ON INCORPORATING OGDEN DUNES The DeLuxe Addition in Portage Township is Attacked in
the Commissioners Court by Railroad
GAVIT THE ATTORNEY
Charging that the incorporation of Ogden Dunes, in Portage township, a
Deluxe addition promoted by Samuel H. Reck, and others, of Gary, would
mean the shutting out of the public to much lake frontage on Lake Michigan,
John A. Gavit, of Whiting, attorney for the New York Central railroad,
appeared before the board of commissioners of Porter county this afternoon
and opposed the petition filed for the incorporation of the new town by
the lake.
Attorney Gavit asked further time of the board to investigate various
features of the proposed incorporation before action be taken in the matter.
As far as he knew from a cursory view of the petition filed the New York
Central railroad would not be damaged by any land taken, but only from
a right-of-way angle.
The principal objection, Mr. Gavit said, in looking over the plat on
file, was that the property had not been dedicated to public use. "I
don't believe it is within the province of this board of commissioners
to incorporate this territory for private gain and use of a few individuals,"
said Mr. Gavit. "As it now stands the incorporation would specifically
prevent the public using any of the streets, alleys, walks or trails inside
the subdivision."
Attorney Gavit declared that it was a movement to compel the New York
Central to open up public streets across its tracks to connect with private
streets within the subdivision. He indicated that if the board did not
grant further time in which to investigate this important feature he would
file a remonstrance and take an appeal to the higher court if necessary.
Robert E. Richardson, of Gary, presented the petition in behalf of the
petitioners. He took the place of Grant Crumpacker, who is in the west
on a vacation.
According to the petition it is the intention of Reck and others to
incorporate 486 acres of land in Portage township, Porter county, to be
known as Ogden Dunes. A census of the land owners in the territory shows
a total of 44 persons. A survey of the land was made by County Surveyor
William E. Morthland on July 8. More than one-third of the qualified voters
of the subdivision, as required by law, signed the petition. An election
is asked by the petitioners to be held at Dick's store to determine whether
such incorporation shall be made.
The board deferred action in the matter until County Attorney Grant
Crumpacker can be consulted. Reck, who is one of the principal petitioners,
stated that he would wire the county attorney, who is now in the far west,
at once, in order to obtain an opinion.
The last three of those paragraphs, reprinted from the original newspaper article, did not appear in the newsletter, for some reason.
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The Hour Glass Newsletter
George Svihla, Editor
762-5184
Historical Society Officers
Naomi Svihla, President
Donald Kurtz, Vice President & Treasurer
Jane Sutton, Secretary
George Svihla, Curator
Peter Youngman, Historian
Board of Directors
Margaret Benninger
Evelyn Childs
Susan Clouser
Constance Richter
Norbert Scheff
John Skafish
George Svihla
Thomas Tittle
Peter Youngman
Historical Society of Ogden Dunes, Inc.
115 Hillcrest Road - 101
Ogden Dunes, IN 46368-1001
EXHIBITS September 21, 1996 1 to 4 p.m.
DUNES by LEE HIBBS
STUDENT ART by PHS Students
PHOTOS & SKETCHES by Ann Bettis PROGRAM September 21, 1996 2 P.M.
OGDEN DUNES ROADS by YOU, Members of the Society
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